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What are vets for?

Press release issued: 30 November 2001

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
What are vets for?


For more than half a century, Bristol University's Veterinary School has been committed to animal health and welfare through developments in education, practical skills, scientific understanding and ethical awareness of its contract with the other animals who share our planet. The history of the Veterinary School will be reviewed and celebrated by a well-known figure in the veterinary field today [Thursday, November 29] as part of the University's Celebration 2001.

The public lecture, entitled 'The Bristol Vet School: science in the service of animals', by John Webster, Professor of Animal Husbandry at the University, takes place at 6 pm in the Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road.

Professor Webster will talk about vets' many roles. He will highlight some of the major professional and ethical dilemmas that vets face and stress the serious purpose of a profession which he feels has been remorselessly sentimentalised by the media.

He will explain how the Veterinary School has developed through the training of students for the veterinary profession, the provision of a good university education in science, a referral hospital for human and animal clients and a centre of excellence for research into veterinary science.

He will also highlight the achievements of the Veterinary School in the field of veterinary science, comparative biology and medicine. The achievements will include major advances in the control of infectious disease, food safety and the welfare of farm animals.

Professor Webster, commenting on his lecture, said: "If we are to do things even better in the future, we need the resources to do the things we can and should do well, the discipline to avoid the things we cannot do (or should not bother with), and the wisdom to recognise the difference."

Full details of the public events in Celebration 2001 - most of which are free - are available from the website at www.bristol.ac.uk/celebration2001 or by telephoning Bristol (0117) 928 8086.

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Email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk
Copyright: 2001 The University of Bristol, UK
Updated: Friday, 30-Nov-2001 11:02:56 GMT

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